in the shadow and waited, fearing trouble. She, too, had felt that the continued conversations of Alwyn and Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell were indiscreet, but she hoped that they had attracted no one else‚Äôs attention. Now she feared the Colonel was suspicious and her heart sank. Alwyn went straight toward the house and disappeared in the oak avenue. Still Colonel Cresswell waited but Zora waited no longer. Alwyn must be warned. She must reach Cresswell‚Äôs mansion before Cresswell did and without him seeing her. This meant a long detour of the swamp to approach the Oaks from the west. She silently gathered up her skirts and walked quickly and carefully away.
She was a strong woman, lithe and vigorous, living in the open air and used to walking. Once out of hearing she threw away her hat and bending forward ran through the swamp. For a while she ran easily and swiftly. Then for a moment she grew dizzy and it seemed as though she was standing still and the swamp in solemn grandeur marching past‚ÅÝ‚Äîin solemn mocking grandeur. She loosened her dress at the neck and flew on.